Process for making (meth)acrylonitriles

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/JP96/00097 Sec. 371 Date Oct. 7, 1996 Sec. 102(e) Date Oct. 7, 1996 PCT Filed Jan. 22, 1996A process for the preparation of (meth)acrylonitriles following ammoxidation process comprising catalytically oxidizing at least one saturated hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of propane and isobutane with a mixed gas containing molecular oxygen and ammonia in the presence of a catalyst, is provided, the process being characterized by the use of a catalyst composed of complex oxide which is expressed by the general formula (I) below: Mo alpha Sb beta W gamma Ox(I) (in which alpha , beta and gamma denote the number of atoms of Mo, Sb and W, respectively, and when alpha is 1, beta is 0.5-10 and gamma is 0.5-10; and x is a value determined by valence of the existing elements) as supported on a refractory inorganic carrier. According to this process, the object nitrites can be prepared at high yields with industrial advantages.

We claim: 
     
       1. A process for the preparation of (meth)acrylonitriles by an ammoxidation process in which at least one saturated hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of propane and isobutane is catalytically oxidized with a mixed gas containing molecular oxygen and ammonia in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst composed of complex oxide expressed by the general formula (I) below:   MoαSbβWγOx                                (I)     (in which α, β and γ denote the number of atoms of Mo, Sb and W, respectively, and when α is 1, β is 0.5-10 and γ is 0.5-10; and x is a value determined by valence of the existing elements) as supported on a refractory inorganic carrier.     
     
     
       2. The process as described in claim 1, wherein the catalyst which contains, concurrently with the constituent elements of the complex oxide as expressed by the general formula (I), at least one element selected from the group consisting of Nb, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co and Ni, in such an amount that the atomic ratio of the selected element or elements to Mo exceeds 0 but is not more than 0.5. 
     
     
       3. The process as described in claim 1, wherein the catalyst which contains, concurrently with the constituent elements of the complex oxide as expressed by the general formula (I), at least one element selected from the group consisting of V, Nb, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co and Ni, in such an amount that the atomic ratio of the selected element or elements to Mo exceeds 0 but is not more than 0.5 and said ratio to the sum of Mo and W exceeds 0 but is not more than 0.05. 
     
     
       4. A catalyst for preparing (meth)acrylonitriles through ammoxidation of at least one saturated hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of propane and isobutane, which is composed of complex oxide expressed by the general formula (I) below:   MoαSbβWγOx                                (I)     (in which α, β and γ denote the number of atoms of Mo, Sb and W, respectively, and when α is 1, β is 0.5-10 and γ is 0.5-10; and x is a value determined by valence of the existing elements) as supported on a refractory inorganic carrier.     
     
     
       5. A catalyst as described in claim 4 which contains, concurrently with the constituent elements of the complex oxide expressed by the general formula (I) as set forth in claim 4, at least one element selected from the group consisting of Nb, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co and Ni, in such an amount that the atomic ratio of the selected element or elements to Mo exceeds 0 but is not more than 0.5. 
     
     
       6. A catalyst as described in claim 4 which contains, concurrently with the constituent elements of the complex oxide expressed by the general formula (I) as set forth in claim 4, at least one element selected from the group consisting of V, Nb, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co and Ni, in such an amount that the atomic ratio of the selected element or elements to Mo exceeds 0 but is not more than 0.5 and that of the selected element or elements to the sum of Mo and W exceeds 0 but is not more than 0.05.